Device for labeling conical and cylindrical objects,especially containers, preferably bottles

ABSTRACT

A LABELING DEVICE HAVING A PLANE PRESSING SURFACE WHICH IS TILTABLE INTO A PLANE PASSING THROUGH THE GENERATRIX OF THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE OF THE OBJECT TO BE LABELED.

Feb. 9, 1971 T. STELLAMANNS ETAL 3,562,072 DEVICE FOR LABELING CONICALAND CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS, ESPECIALLY CONTAINERS, PREFERABLY BOTTLES 2SheetsSheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1968 2 l 1 1 I I 3 m 0 Iaal Z 65 l 0 0 H.mM 3 l 2 j I w/ MN g 3 mm m3? w? W nw J y 4 5m w um 1971 T. STELLAMANNSETAL 3,562,072

DEVICE FOR LABELING CONICAL AND CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS, ESPECIALLYCONTAINERS, PREFERABLY BOTTLES Filed Dec. 10. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Jnrenzom 7&0 Stella/harms and Mbrner Eml n/"n United States Patent US.Cl. 156-566 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A labeling device havinga plane pressing surface which is tiltable into a plane passing throughthe generatrix of the circumferential surface of the object to belabeled.

The present invention relates to a device for labeling conical andcylindrical objects, especially containers, preferably bottles. Morespecifically, the invention relates to such a device having a planepressing surface which is tiltable into a plane passing through thegeneratrix of the circumferential surface of the object to be labeled,and which is located opposite the labeling cylinder and on the oppositeside of a conveyor belt transporting the objects to the label.

Heretofore known devices of this type have a so-called labeling cylinderwhich receives the labels from a supply vial. The circumferentialsurface of the labeling cylinder has arranged therein flaps carrying thelabel receiving surfaces. These flaps are brought into such an inclinedposition by a corresponding mechanism, for placing the label onto thecircumferential surface of the conical object to be labeled in such away that the labels are located in a plane which is parallel to thegeneratrix of the conical surface of the object. Incidentally, the labelis held on the flaps by suction prior to being attached to the object.These well known devices are very cumbersome and expensive in view ofthe fact that they require tiltable flaps carried by the labelingcylinder and since the mechanism for the tilting of the flaps has to beprovided within the area where. the labels are applied.

Also other well known labeling devices serving the same purpose have thesame or similar features and properties. In such devices instead oftiltable flaps inserts are provided which are displaceable in radialdirection within the labeling cylnder. These inserts have outer surfaceswhich in their normal or basic position are located in thecircumferential surface of the labeling cylinder and carry the labels ontrapezoidal cutouts which, during the outward movement of the inserts bymeans of a corresponding mechanism, adapt themselves to thecircumferential shape of the objects to be labeled. The lateral edges ofthe inserts bring about the pressing of the labels onto the conicalobject while simultaneously tensioning the label across the cutout intowhich a portion of the circumferential surface of the object penetrates.Also with these well known labeling devices, the structure of thelabeling cylinder becomes complicated in view of the necessary provisionof the radially movable inserts and the mechanism for its reciprocation.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide alabeling device for the above-identified purposes, which will overcomethe drawbacks of the heretofore known labeling devices.

It is a more specific object of the present invention, to provide alabeling device in which a simple labeling "ice cylinder without flapsor cutouts or inserts can be employed. In other words, the labelingcylinder is provided with yieldable cylindrical label receiving outersurfaces with suction openings for holding the labels.

Still another object of the present invention consists in the provisionof a labeling device in which, in spite of the use of a cylindricallabeling cylinder, not only cylindrical but also conical containers suchas bottles or jars, or cans can be labeled.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the following specification and in part will be obvioustherefrom without being specifically referred to, the same beingrealized and attained as pointed out in the claims hereof.

The above-mentioned objects have been realized, in accordance with thepresent invention, by a labeling device having a guiding means for theconveyor belt, which is passed over by the conveyor belt and is adaptedto tilt the conveyor belt at the labeling location by an anglecorresponding to the generatrix of the circumferential surface of theobject to be labeled.

In the labeling device according to the present invention, a tilting ofthe device to be labeled at the labeling location is effected to such anextent that the circumferential portion of the object which faces thelabeling cylinder extends parallel to the cylindrical surface of thelabeling cylinder carrying the label. Surprisingly, it has been foundthat the rolling of the circumference of the object to be labeled on thecylindrical surface of the labeling cylinder accompanied by a minorsliding movement permits an orderly placement of the label provided withglue on the conical surface of the object, without folds or creases,while permitting a high working speed of the labeling device. Experiencehas also shown that the tilting of the objects to be labeled by means ofthe tiltable guiding means according to the present invention can becarried out without interruption and disturbance also at very highworking speeds of the conveyor belt.

In a preferred embodiment, the labeling device may be designed in asimple manner in such a way that the guiding means consists of a sliderail made of wear resistant material such as, tempered steel, andadjustable and displaceable in vertical direction.

The invention is illustrated by Way of example in the annexed drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the labeling stationof a labeling device, showing a position in which a label is applied toa glass container with a frustoconical circumference surface;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 1 in which,however, a label is applied to a cylindrical object, such as a beerbottle;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of thelabeling device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the portion of the labeling device shown inFIG. 3.

The labeling device according to the present invention comprises alabeling cylinder 17 with elastic label receiving surfaces 18 which areprovided with suction openings (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) leading intothe surfaces 18 for holding the labels supplied to the surface 18 bylabel supply containers (not shown). The labels have been provided withglue prior to being transferred to the surfaces 18. During the labelingprocess, the surfaces 18 press against the frustoconical circumferenceof an object 15 to be labeled which object 15 carries out a rollingmovement during the application of the label which rolling movement issuperimposed by a minor sliding movement. During the application of thelabel, the object 15 is supported by a plane elastic and fixedlyarranged pressing surface 19 arranged opposite the labeling cylinder 17.

Surface 19 is provided on an insert 24 made of a plastic sponge andlocated in a profiled member 20. Pressing surface 19 is supported by aconsole 22 in machine frame 21 and is tiltable about a horizontal axis23 parallel to the direction of extension of the transporting conveyor1.

The labeling device also comprises a sliding rail 4 consisting of a wearresisting material, such as, tempered steel. This rail 4 is adjustablein vertical direction by means of adjusting screws relative to themachine frame 21 of the labeling machine and the guiding elements 14 forthe objects 15, 16 to be labeled and transported by the conveyor belt 1.The surface 19 is tiltable and adjustable in such a way that it can bemade to extend parallel to the generatrix 3 of an object 15 tiltedsideways from its normal vertical position by the inclination of theconveyor belt 1 at the labeling station, the tilting of the belt 1 beingcaused in accordance with the present invention by passing of theconveyor belt 1 over the slide rail 4.

In accordance with further features of the present invention, the sliderail may be provided at its ends with curved portions for facilitatingthe movement of the objects thereover, and the slide rail may beprovided with sleeves adjacent its ends, which may receive adjustingscrews.

A very simple structure of the device may be obtained by providing thesleeves with plane lateral surfaces by meansof which they may slide onlikewise plane guiding surfaces of angular guiding pieces which havetheir horizontal leg provided with a threaded bore for receiving theadjusting screw. These angular guiding pieces are connected to thoseportions of the machine frame which carry or guide the conveyor belt.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the slide rail 4 isprovided at its ends with curved portions 7, 8 in order to permit theconveyor 1 to be lifted and lowered without shock. The slide rail 4 isalso provided adjacent its ends with sleeves connected thereto which arepenetrated by adjusting screws 6. The sleeves 5 have at least one planeguiding surface 9 each by means of which they can slide in verticaldirection along the plane guiding surfaces 10 of angular guiding pieces13 when the adjusting screws 6 are turned. These screws turn in threadedbores 12 in a horizontal leg 11 of the guiding member or piece 13 andare axially displaced at the sliding rail 4 while taking along thesleeves 5 which are glassed between the head of the screw and a safetyring 30 clamped around the shaft of the screw. The guiding pieces 13 areconnected to the machine frame or to supporting rails 14 of the conveyorbelt 1 by means of screws 25.

The supporting rails 14 are provided with a recess 26 corresponding inlength to the length of the guide rail 4 for purposes of receiving thelatter. The depth of the recess 26 being substantially such that theguiding rail 4 can be made flush with the effective surface of theguiding surface 27 of the rail 14 when the labeling machine is to beused for the labeling of cylindrical objects 16 as shown in FIG. 2, bycompletely placing the guide rail 4 into the recess 26. In thisinstance, the effective surface of the guide rail 4 is at the same levelas the continuous guiding surface 28 of the supporting rail 29 for thebelt 1, which latter supporting rail is designed in usual manner and noteffected by the features of the present invention. Therefore, a tiltingof the belt 1 and thereby a tilting of the cylindrical object 16 (FIG.2) to be labeled is not necessary while, of course, the pressing surface19 is brought into a vertical position as shown in FIG. 2 by acorresponding tilting of the profiled member 20 about the axis 23 atconsole 22. If, on the other hand, conical of frustocouical objects asshown in FIG. 1, are to be labeled, it is merely to lift the guide rail4 and to tilt the pressing surface 19 into the position shown in FIG. 1,

The arrangement just described makes it possible to arrange theessential parts of the device in a very space saving manner in therecess on the top surface of the supporting rail 4 for the conveyor 1 inthe range of the labeling station, while permitting at any time with afew manipulations the adjustment of the device for the labeling ofcylindrical to the labeling of the conical objects and vice versa.

We wish it to be understood that we do not'desired to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for abviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire tobe secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A device for labeling concical and cylindrical objects, such ascontainers, bottles, and the like, comprising a labeling cylinderoperable to be driven to rotate and adapted to receive and support onits circumference labels to be attached to the objects, a fixedlyarranged pressing body with a plane resilient surface portion oppositesaid labeling cylinder and tiltable so as to engage a circumferentialportion of an object between said portion and said cylinder and to pressthe same against said cylinder, a conveyor belt operable fortransporting said object between said cylinder and said surface portion,and guiding means actuatable for guiding and tilting said belt in thevicinity of said cylinder and surface portion for an angle correspondingto the angle of inclination of the generatrix of the circumferentialsurface of the object to be labeled.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said guiding means comprises aslide rail made of wear resistant material and adjustable in an uprightdirection.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said slide rail has end partsprovided with curved portions for facilitating the movement of theconveyor belt onto, and from, said rail.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said slide rail is providedadjacent its end parts with sleeves connected to said rail, andadjusting screws engaging said sleeves.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said sleeves have planelateral surfaces, and angular guiding pieces cooperating with said planelateral guiding surfaces, said guiding pieces being fixedly connected tosaid device, each guiding piece including a horizontal leg, thehorizontal legs of said guiding pieces defining threaded bores receivingsaid adjusting screws.

6. A device according to claim 2, a supporting rail for said slide rail,said supporting rail being provided with a recess having a lengthsubstantially corresponding to the length of said slide rail and havinga depth such that the slide rail may be completely received therein sothat the top surface of said slide rail is flush With the top surface ofsaid supporting rail.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,725,156 11/1955 Manas l56566X3,126,309 3/1964 Manas et a1. 156-566 3,159,522 12/1964 Schmidt 156566X3,389,778 6/1968 Kovacs et a1. l98-33(R2) BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, PrimaryExaminer I. M. HANLEY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

